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Yes. And bring back the runner while we're at it!

4 (15.4%)

No. They're professional athletes. Why back in my day...

14 (53.8%)

Eh, whatever...

8 (30.8%)

Total Members Voted: 26

[smokem]

The test match play schedule has stayed the same for years and players are fitter then ever. These comfort breaks are pushing the boundaries of the "spirit of the game", in order to maximise the performance of certain bowlers. The idea behind a sub (like a runner) is to substitute an injured player.

So I say if you can't return to the field within an over, then stay off for 2 hours. Then as per current rules, you have to be back on the field for the number of overs you missed before you can bowl again. Fair enough?

[ajmw89]

I have often played against a team of Muslims during Ramadan and they fast all day. This includes no drinks break and no tea at half time. Their discipline is unbelievable.

I have a couple of young lads (14/15) that play for me that fast during Ramadan.  Dunno how they manage it tbh!

[ajmw89]

The test match play schedule has stayed the same for years and players are fitter then ever. These comfort breaks are pushing the boundaries of the "spirit of the game", in order to maximise the performance of certain bowlers. The idea behind a sub (like a runner) is to substitute an injured player.

So I say if you can't return to the field within an over, then stay off for 2 hours. Then as per current rules, you have to be back on the field for the number of overs you missed before you can bowl again. Fair enough?

Pitchside portaloos!

Personally, i say if you want a comfort break, fine.  But no sub fielder.  Only time you should be allowed a sub fielder is if you are genuinely injured

[thecord]

When I play, I refuse to allow batsmen a drink outside of scheduled drinks breaks when we're fielding.  If I can't drink, you can't!

No drinks on the boundary for bowlers then either?!

[ajmw89]

No drinks on the boundary for bowlers then either?!

If they want them, they can leave them off the edge but go off the field to drink

[joeljonno]

If they want them, they can leave them off the edge but go off the field to drink

So at the end of the over, and they field at fine leg and drink. Do they leave the field and not return until the end of the over?

I'd suggest you do not get the option to stop batsmen having drinks, it is a personal health and safety issue. It's like saying that I am batting, cracking a close fielder in the head and saying that he can't have an ambulance.

[ajmw89]

Leave the field for an over.  Same as if you wanted a wee.

[jamielsn15]

With the advances in sport science and diet - player's hydration, etc - they are taking on more fluids than ever.  Given the fairly recent cases in the US of gridiron players dying of dehydration at pre season 'boot camps' as it was deemed 'water is for the weak,' (the only part of the movie 'Remember the Titans' I fundamentally dislike, but I digress), this is no bad thing.

Sadly evolution is such that elite athletes haven't evolved into camels (plus the hump would have the 'he's chucking the ball brigade' up in arms), so I feel they have to go for a break.  We all know its not great running for the ball when you need to (no swearing please) like a racehorse...

However I do believe the elite game should mimic our games and, as some have mentioned, you don't get a sub.  Admittedly that's an issue if it's your wk, but them's are the breaks.  IN fact, you rarely see a keeper go off, which suggests they dehydrate for the team - those guys and gals are hardcore!

You can't deny players the need to take a comfort break - and as with any rule, the only certainty is that elite teams and players will find a way to abuse it...

[ProCricketer1982]

, it is a personal health and safety issue.

Oh come on, having served in the desert and fought in it too (which isn't easy!) you really don't need all this hydration !! A drink every 20 overs or whatever it is, is perfectly fine. It's supposed to bloody test your body/fitness so again... Your supposed to get dehydrated to a degree etc.

AT&T he amateur level you also really don't need more than the one drinks break, I do find it pathetic when someone is constantly asking for a drink when batting.

[jamielsn15]

Oh come on, having served in the desert and fought in it too (which isn't easy!) you really don't need all this hydration !! A drink every 20 overs or whatever it is, is perfectly fine. It's supposed to bloody test your body/fitness so again... Your supposed to get dehydrated to a degree etc.

AT&T he amateur level you also really don't need more than the one drinks break, I do find it pathetic when someone is constantly asking for a drink when batting.

Totally agree, I reckon they are erring on the side of caution to ensuring there aren't any avoidable issues.

Only once have I asked for a drink, at the height of the summer 2012 when batting for 50-odd.  Admittedly I've never served in the Forces, or been in a desert, but have friends who have (as well as one who ran the marathon des sables) and the experiences they talk about ensure you and they have my utmost respect for the conditions you've experienced. I have worked in the USA over summers out in the sun all day coaching, and feel I have more of a tolerance to the heat than most, but never felt as I did in this case (headache, blurred vision) - I guess it's not just the amount of fluid you take on, but other mitigating factors.

All of that said, unless someone's been batting for hours on end and its ridiculously hot, there's no need to take a drink, especially as you get as much as you want at 20 overs.

[Cowcorner]

Leave the field for an over.  Same as if you wanted a wee.

Good idea - and no substitute fielders either (which I think is actually against the laws of the game? Wisden geeks/umpires fact or foolishness?)
At the end of the day nobody wants to see somebody at cow corner getting out their short leg and doing a "paula radcliffe".......still it'd give the Barmy Army something new to sing about......

[joeljonno]

Oh come on, having served in the desert and fought in it too (which isn't easy!) you really don't need all this hydration !! A drink every 20 overs or whatever it is, is perfectly fine. It's supposed to bloody test your body/fitness so again... Your supposed to get dehydrated to a degree etc.

AT&T he amateur level you also really don't need more than the one drinks break, I do find it pathetic when someone is constantly asking for a drink when batting.

You may have served in the desert, but you will have had a lot of conditioning and training.

There are a lot of players who do not have that same dedication to training, fitness and diet.  Just because one person can do it, does not mean that everyone else can.

Perhaps we should get rid of all drink breaks, tea between innings and not let anyone have a break.  Which will be fine until it causes someone to collapse.

It takes a minute, if that to have a drink. It takes longer when the captain changes the field 2-3 times an over.

[smokem]

We're talking about test cricketers - in particular super fit bowlers - taking breaks after a spell to optimise their performance for the next spell. If they do get a little dehydrated after a spell, go to the boundary and have a drink between balls there. No need to go off the field and take a shower, chat with the coach and analyst and a rub down from the physio...